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Soccer AM: James Beattie talks about his move into management with Accrington Stanley

'Do I give the hair dryer treatment? I have shouted but you have to stay in control', says James Beattie.

Last Updated: 22/02/14 11:44am

The former Southampton and England forward took over as manager at Stanley last summer after joining the League Two side as a player/coach the previous season.

Beattie was famously head-butted by Tony Pulis whilst at Stoke City and was also left frustrated when he was sold from Everton without then manager David Moyes talking to him about the move.

Although he concedes he now empathises more with the frustrations of former managers, he insists he has to take responsibility for communication between him and his players.

"Having been in it for five or six months now, I can see the manager's point of view and how frustrating it is when the players don't do as they are told," he told Soccer AM.

"I think communication with the players is paramount and the way that you deliver that is also paramount. Some of the players will need a kick up the bum and the other players you have to put an arm around.

"Everybody's character is different and that is what I like. I like looking at people's mannerisms and what they do and how they react to certain things. I think that is one of my biggest assets as a manager."

Lose it

Asked if he has given his players the 'hair dryer treatment', he said: "The lads have had a bit of a shouting at. But I think if you do that too often then it becomes normal and they don't react to it.

"So if I do raise my voice then they know there is something wrong. But I am always quick to praise them as well.

"At my worst, I can lose it. I would never throw anything. You have always got to be in control and if you lose that control then you lose the respect of the players, and that will be your time up."

The 35-year-old endured a difficult start to management as Stanley failed to register a win in his first 11 games in charge at the start of the season. But he has since overseen a revival with his side moving up to 19th in the table.

He said: "The position we are in now considering the position we were in at the beginning of the season - having played 11 games and got four points - is a tremendous effort from the lads and something they should be proud of. In the last 18 matches we have averaged just below two points, which is Championship winning form.

Relief

"The performances were there or there abouts and it was just about getting that win and when it came, it was a long time coming and we have kicked on from then."

Beattie added: "I was not ready for all the stuff that goes with the job but I have taken to it and I do love my job," he said.

"There is a lot of work to do behind the scenes with running the finances, which are very tight - we have the smallest budget in the Football League. For the lads to be on what they are on and to be putting in performances they do, they deserve a lot of credit and I am very proud of them."